Patient Information

Preparing for Glaucoma Surgery

What to know, what to discuss, and how to get ready

If your ophthalmologist has recommended surgery to manage your glaucoma, it is natural to have questions. This guide will help you understand why surgery may be the right step, what you should discuss beforehand, and how to prepare for the day of the procedure.

This is general educational information. The written instructions from your surgical and anaesthetic team take precedence because the plan depends on the procedure, anaesthesia and your health.

Practical pre-operative and post-operative guide

Postoperative follow-up is as important as the surgery itself. Your surgeon will schedule frequent visits (especially in the first weeks) and adjustments may be needed. Attending every appointment and following instructions carefully is essential for a good outcome.

It is normal for vision to fluctuate during the initial recovery period. Your surgeon will guide you through each stage.

Eyelid hygiene with Ozonest wipes or Estila 10

Both eyes, eyelid margin and eyelashes. Twice a day (morning and evening). Not covered by public health insurance.

Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup

During the 3 days before the procedure.

Do not wear perfume or cologne on the day of surgery

PredForte eye drops — if indicated by your ophthalmologist

Start in the eye to be operated on. 1 drop every 8 hours (8 am — 4 pm — midnight) until the time of the procedure.

Unless otherwise instructed by your ophthalmologist, do not discontinue any eye treatment you are currently using.

Your ophthalmologist may need to suspend one or more hypotensive eye drops before surgery.

Confirm when fasting starts

It depends on the procedure, anaesthesia and centre protocol

Follow the time given in writing

Do not assume every operation uses the same schedule

Surgery

Ask specifically which regular medicines to take on the day and whether they may be taken with a small sip of water.

If you take a GLP-1 receptor agonist

Tell the surgical and anaesthetic team if you take semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide or another GLP-1 medicine. Current guidance recommends an individual assessment rather than a universal stop rule.

SituationAssessmentWhat to do
Before any procedureConfirm the type of anaesthesia and scheduled timeFollow the centre’s written fasting instructions
If you take a GLP-1 medicineReport the medicine, dose, recent increases and digestive symptomsDo not stop or change it without express instructions

Why does the plan vary?

Many patients may continue GLP-1 treatment, with appropriate risk assessment and anaesthetic precautions.

Recent dose escalation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal symptoms or other aspiration risks may require a different plan.

Do not use this page to decide whether to stop treatment. Follow the instructions issued for your procedure by the anaesthetic and surgical team.

If you are diabetic

Ask the team managing your diabetes for a written plan for tablets and insulin. Do not reduce or omit a dose on the basis of this general guide.

Morning surgery

Confirm fasting and diabetes medication instructions

Afternoon surgery

Confirm whether breakfast is allowed and at what time

If you take anticoagulants or antiplatelets

Tell your ophthalmologist and anaesthetist exactly what you take. Do not stop, restart or replace an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicine without express, coordinated instructions from the surgical team and the clinician who prescribed it.

SintromEliquisXareltoPradaxaLixianaAspirina / AdiroTromalytDisgrenTiklid

Sintrom: The need for an INR check, dose adjustment or heparin bridging is individual. Only follow the plan given to you expressly; bridging is not routine for every patient.

If you have not received a clear plan, contact the surgical team before the procedure.

Confirm all regular medication with the team. Do not assume that a medicine should be taken or withheld because of general online advice.

Do not drive

Until your ophthalmologist authorises it.

Sleep with raised headboard

25–35 degrees. Raise the bed legs or place a blanket under the mattress. Avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye.

No exertion

Do not bend your head down, cough sharply, or lift weights over 10 kg.

No pools or gyms

Until your ophthalmologist authorises it at follow-up.

Do not rub your eyes

Dry tears and drops on the cheek, without pressing the eye. Minimise touching the area in the first days.

Temporary blurry vision

It is normal to see blurry for a variable period. A period of low eye pressure is also frequent.

Artificial tears

If you use them, do not stop. After surgery they will indicate the new treatment to follow.

Anticoagulants

Do not stop, restart or replace anticoagulants or antiplatelets on your own. Follow the coordinated plan issued by your surgical and prescribing teams.

Go to A&E if you notice anything that does not seem normal

Yellow, green or abundant discharge

Manifest or sudden pain

Sudden increase in redness

Greater loss of vision compared to initial

During the first weeks after surgery. When in doubt, consult.

Important: communicate before the procedure

Contact your surgical team if any of the following apply in the days before your scheduled surgery:

  • You develop a cold, cough, fever, or any active infection
  • You have redness, discharge, or unusual discomfort in the eye to be operated on
  • You have started or stopped any medication since your last visit
  • You are unsure about whether to take any of your usual medications on the day of surgery
  • Your general health has changed significantly

When in doubt, call. It is always better to check than to assume.

Frequently asked questions

In most cases, glaucoma surgery is performed under local anesthesia, meaning you will be awake but your eye will be completely numb. You should not feel pain during the procedure. Your surgeon will explain the type of anesthesia planned for your specific case.

The duration varies depending on the technique, but most glaucoma procedures take between 30 and 60 minutes. Your surgeon will give you a more specific estimate based on your case.

Vision is usually blurry immediately after the procedure and may fluctuate during the first weeks of recovery. This is expected. Your surgeon will monitor your progress closely during the postoperative visits.

Generally, each eye is operated on separately, with a period between procedures. This approach is safer and allows the first eye to stabilize before addressing the second.
Editorial transparency

Authorship, medical review and sources

Author and medical reviewer
Dr. Francisco Javier Abellán Martínez
Ophthalmologist · Medical registration no. 282880215
The same specialist currently authors and medically reviews the content; this is not presented as an independent external review.
Last medically reviewed
Sources consulted (5)

General educational content. It does not replace an individual assessment, diagnosis or personalised instructions from your healthcare team.

How these guides are written and reviewed

Need to discuss your upcoming surgery?

If you have questions about your preparation or want to schedule a preoperative visit, do not hesitate to get in touch.

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